Mechanical movement.



J. GERARD.

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT.

APPUCATION FILED MAY 11, 1912.

Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

ATTORNEY? To all whom it may concern." I

Be it known that I, J LEs GERARD, a.citizen of the United States, residing at Green 'Bay, county of Brown, and State of Wis y provements in 'Mechanical Movements, of I i after-described and more particularly pointp ed but 111 of claims 1 to 9 inclusive in this application.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JULESGERARD, or GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN, AssIGNon'ro-oRANK snare VALVE movammr'rcomrm, or GREEN BAY, wisconsnmya CQRBQRATION or WISCONSIN.

MEGHANl CAL novnnmv'r."

' .1918. This application filed May 11, 1917 Serial No. 167,884.-

consin, have invented new and-useful Imwhich the following is a specification.

Y My inventionrelates to new and useful.

7 improvements in mechanical movements, the

present application being a continuation of an application filed by me April 3rd, 1916, Serial No. 88454, allowed January 16,- 1917, as to the subject matter-of claims 10 to 18 inclusive in this application, and also. a continuation of an application filed by me September 1, 1916,- Serial No. 118,099, allowed November 11, 1916, as to the subject matter The principal object of my inventionis' to provide a mechanical movement for trans-. forming rotary movement into ntermittent .reciprocatory movement 'at stated intervals.

My invention is peculiarly'adapted for. use

' inconnection with thevalve'mechanism of internal combustion engines, as I .am thereby enabled to obviate the necessity of providing an independent valve operating shaft driven by reducing gears from the crank shaft ofthe engine. 1

My mveniio'n "contemplates the provision 'of-a rotary cam having asetof peripheral grooves therein, said grooves, or portions thereof, f having a relative inclination in planesohliquelytransverse to the cam shaft, and having a meeting point common to the bases of both grooves, whereby a roller adaptedto travel in the grooves may-have a cross-over point and may be caused to: pass from one groove to theother. It is a further object of, my invention to provide. an improved means for guiding theroller to insure its alternate :engagement -with the grooves. A still further object is to provide the roller with side bearings adapted to travel.

' along'the surface-ofthecam adjacent to the grooves and relieve the pressure of the roller" at the bases of the grooves, and'toffacilitate; guiding theroller from one groove into the other, and reduce frictional wearing contacts to a minimum. With the above and other vantages in view, my mventlon resides more particularly in the novel combination, for

mation .and arrangement .of parts herein- I the accompanyingclaims. ln'the drawings:

Fig. 2? is a plan view OI the collar with the meeting point of its grooves disposed uppermost.

Fig. 3 is a 3 -3 of Fig. 1 through the guide box for the roller carrying rod. A

Fig. 4:- a

transverse sectional :view

through said box on line H ofFig. '1, and

Specification of Letters Patent v Patented Dec, 3, 1918 Continuation of applications Serial No'. 88,454, filed April 1816jaii1i Serial No.'1 18,099, filed September 1,

objects and ad- 1 .detail sectional view an 11m Fig. 5 is a'detail sectional view of a spring .means' for positively guiding the roller in.

its rocking movements to alternately engage the grooves. In Fig. 1 I have illustrated a fragment of the cylinder 1 of aninternal combustion engine to which my improved valve mechanism is' applied.- The valve 2 may be ;re-'

garded either as an inlet or as an exhaust valve, similar mechanism being preferably used in any case where a cam actuated valve is to be employed. The valve's'tem 5 is slidabl'y mounted in a suitable guide bearing 7,

I the valve being urgedto its seat 6'by a compression spring 9 interposed between the bearing 7 and a collar 10 on the outer end of the stem. Said outer'end of the stem' is pivotedito one end of a lever-1 1 which isin turn pivoted to a suitable support '12. The other end 'of the lever 11 is provided with a cup shaped enlargement 13 open at its bottom and having'fitted therein a socket block 14; forthe spherical head of a verticallydisposed rod 15, the lower end of which is bifurcatedto receive a roller 16 engageable with a cam wheel 17 on a shaft 18 which is preferably the main crankshaft of the 2 engine, the roller being resiliently urged for engagement with the, wheel 17 by the valve o one side of the axis of itscarryin rod 15.

closing, spring 9.

The cam wheel- 17 is provided with a peripheral groove 19, disposed in a plane oblique to the axis of the shaft whereby to form helical portions extending from a switching point 20 and meeting at the opposite side of the wheel in longitudinally spaced relation tothe switching point. The cam wheel is also provided with'a second groove 21 having its base disposed in a plane oblique to the axis of the shaft tof thus provide helical portions extending from the switching point 20 at an opposite inclination-with respect'to the helical por tions of the groove 19. The roller 16 is provided with an annular V-shaped rib 22 centrally disposed on its periphery, and the walls of the grooves 19 and 21 arepreferably so formed that the sides of the rib 22 will substantial-ll fit the grooves. This relation makes it (i as shown be varied in inclination in proportion to the angular pitch assumed by the roller carrying rod 15 in swinging laterally toward one side or the other as the roller travels in one or the other of the cam grooves. The groove 21 has a portion 23 eccentrically disposed with relation to the groove 19 and the shaft, the apex of this portion 23 being located approximately 90.

degrees from the switching point 20. Thus when the roller 16 reaches this so-calledhigh point or cam projection a longitudinal movement-will be imparted to the 'rod 15, and this movement will be transmitted through the lever 11 to open the valve 2 7 against the tension of the compression spring 9.

The cylindrical end portions of the roller 16 form horizontal bearin faces adapted to bear upon the periphera surface of the collar 17 and its cam enlargement 23, and thus to a considerable extent relieve wear of the rib 22 andthe surfaces of the grooves, and facilitate controlling the oscillatory movement of the roller about the axis 0! rod '15. v

The normal tendency of the roller at the switching point 20 is to cross over: into the other groove, and this tendency is due to the inclination of the roller in the helically grooved portion. By the provision of the Y the roller, thisaction is rendered still more cylindrical end bearing'surface portions of positive inview of the fact that, with the roller at the switching point, the frictional contact of the horizontal bearing surface at that side of the switching point adjacent the previously traveled groove diminishes, and the frictional contact of. the other cylindricalend bearing surface increasesv upon continued movement of the roller, to thus.

esirable that the walls.

to a retractile spring 30. This secured to a finger 31 prefer-ibly'carriecl by a supporting arm 32 of the guide frame 24,

1101a the roller in its initial tendency 5fmovement by providing greater friction at Thus, with the rod 15 suita ly held against movement transversely of the shaft 18, yet in 'such a manner as to permit a slidr'. -ing and rotative movement and a laterally oscillating movement longitudinall' of the shaft, the'rolle'r 16 of the rod Wlll alternately traverse the grooves 19 and 21, to

"procure a reciprocativemovement of the .frame by the engagement of its spherical end sections 25 in transversely arcuate channels 26 in the sides of the frame is a'bearing block 27through which the rod 15 is slidably passed. Thus said bearing. block may slide longitudinally win the frame 24 and may also rock therein.

Under some conditions, and particularly when operating at a very high speed, it is desirable to provide an aditional means for insuring proper rocking movement of the roller 16 at the switch point 20, to'procure its proper alternate engagement with the grooves. As shown more particularly in Fig. 5, I have provided a positive guiding means which comprises an arm 28 secured to, and projecting laterally from, the rod 15 in a direction parallel to the axis of the roller 16, and secured to this arm is one end of a yoke loop29 which embraces the rod and which has its other end secured spring is and the finger 31 is disposed substantially in a vertical plane passing through the axis of the shaft 18. Thus upon a twisting move-- ment of the roller 16 to conform to the contours of the grooves 19 and 21 the arm 28 will be swung across a dead center line passing through the axis of the rod 15 and the at aching portion of the spring, and as the roller approaches the crossing point 20, it

III

is in each instance resiliently held for conti ued movement in the same direction to effect its alternate switching from one groove to another.

I claim: 1 r 1. The combination wlth a rotary cam having a plurality of grooves which con verge on 'one slde to a common meeting point. one of said grooves being formed to extend over a camxportion carried by the cam, whereby a portion of said groove is cocentric to the. axis of the cam, of a'roller adapted to travel in. said grooves and to the respective grooves. r

jthe cam and convergingon the other side ,to a common meeting pointat the baseof.

the respective grooves, oneof said grooves being eccentric to the axis of-the cam, and

5 .or'guiding the same throughoutits travel in the respective grooves...

2. The combination w th a rotary cam having a plurality; of grooves which con verge on one side to a cross-over po1nt,'of a to'c-ross from one to the other at'said crossover point, means; for resiliently holding said roller in engagement with said rooves, and means integral with said rol or for guiding the same throughout its 'travel in- 3. The combination with a'camfshafthof a cam mounted 'to rotate therewith and pro- '1 vided with a plurality. of peripheral cam to a common meeting point at the base of the respective grooves, one of said grooves being eccentric to the axisfof the m I A the cam and converging on the other side to cam, and the other of said grooves being rod in engagement with said grooves,.means for resiliently pressing. the rod and the roller g in a direction toward saidcam, and' means (integral with said roller fonguiding the same throughout its travel in the resp'ective grooves. 4. The combination with a cam shaft, 'of

vided with a plurality of peripheral grooves which converge on one side of the cam to a 1 common meeting point at the base of the respective grooves-one of said grooves be- I having peripheral grooves which converge ing eccentric to'the axis of the cam and the other of said grooves being concentric therewith, a rod, a guide for said rod permitting axial and lateral reciprocation of said rod, a roller carried by said rod in engagement resilient means actingon said lever whereby the rod and the roller are pressed toward said cam, and means integral with said roller for guiding the same throughoutv its travel in the respective grooves,

5. The combination with a cam shaft, of

a cam mounted to rotate therewith and provided with a plurality of peripheral grooves separated from each other on one side of the other of said grooves being'concentric therewith, a rod, a guide for said rod permitting axial and lateral reciprocation of the same,-a roller carried by. said rod and] j being provided with guiding means to in-' roller adapted'to travel in said grooves and 1 grooves which converge on one side of they concentric therewith, a rod, 9, guide for said 1 rod permitting axial and lateral reciprocation of said rod, a roller carried by said zother'of said grooves bein concentric therea cam mounted to rotate therewith and prowith said grooves, a leverhaving universal. connection with the other'end of said rod,

sure its alternate travel in the respective and said roller having a correspondingly beveled periphery, substantially as described.

'65 grooves, and means for resiliently pressing sa d. rod and sald roller toward said cam, sald grooves having converging side walls 6.'The combination with a rotaryfcam I having a plurality of grooves. which con side walls and "saidrollerhavingcorrespondingly beveled peripheral merging nular bearing surfaces. v

7. Thecombination with a cam shaft, of a cam mounted to rotate.- therewith and pro- 'vided withapllirality of peripheral grooves separated from each other on .one side of xrespectivegrooves, one of said grooves being eccentric to the axis of the'cam, and the with, a rod, a guide'for said rod permitting with the respective. grooves, and means for resilientlyv pressing said rod and said roller 'toward said cam, sa1d grooves having converging side walls and said roller having correspondingly beveled peripheral surfaces mergingat the base into 'horlzontal annular bearing surfaces.

8. The combination with a rotatable cam toa cross-over point, of a roller supporting member, .a-roller carried by said member member, a-roller carried by said member provided with an annular rib engageable'in the grooves, said roller also' having annular guidingand bearing, surfaces at both sides of its annular rib adapted t e a the: p y f the cam. Y

10. Thecombination with rotatable cam having peripheral grooves which converge to a cross-over point, of a roller adapted to travel in said'grooves and to cross from one to the other at said crossover point, a carry-.

ing member-for said roller mounted for .ro-

cation on-an axis traversing. the cam, and means independent of the roller and grooves 8i} i surfaces at their bases lIltO. horizontal annormally urging rotation of said carryingall I 1,286,281

member on its axis.

to the other atsaid cross-over point, a carrying member from said 'rollermountedfor rotation on an axis'travers1ngtheicam and moons connected with the? carrying member independent of the roller and grooves roller at said cross-over pointj lt-s ii. The combination ,witha rotatable cam having peripheral grooves, which converge to a cross-over point, of a roller adapted to travel injsaid grooves and t cros's from one to the other at said cross-over point, a carrying member for said' roller mounted for ,nal and rotative oscillations, together with rotation on an axis traversing the cam, and

resilient means urging rotation; of said can rying member selectively in either direction upon approaching said cross-over point. 13. The combination with a rotatable cam?- having peripheral grooves, Whichconverge to a crossover point, of a roller'adapted. to; travel in said grooves'and' to cross from oneto the other at said cross-over point, a carry-'. ing member for said roller mounted for-.- rotation on an axis traversing the cam,'a n arm extending from one side of the carrying" member inthe-direction of the axis ofthe cam, a spring at the other side of the carryf 5 ing member, and 'a connection betweensald arm and spring permitting movement of the",

-J' grooves and toicross over from one to the armto both sides of. the axis of the cam.

14. The combination a rotatable cam havingperipheral grooves: which converge to a cross-over point, of a roller adapted to travel in said grooves and to crossfrom one to the other at said cross-over point, a-fcarry-f ing member for said ro1leri mount'ed;for

rotation on an axis traversingthezcam, anarm extending from one side-ofthecarrying' memberin the direction: of the axis'of thew a j supporting frame having longitudinal transversely ,;arcuate channels. holding said cam, a pring at the other side of the carry ing member, and a yoke'loop surrounding arm and spring. a a 15. The combination with a cam having the carrying memberand connected with the i v may-swingfrom side to side asittravels along the diverging and converging por peripheral grooves which converge onjo'ne side to a cross -over point, and Ya roller over point, 'Of a roller supportin spring arranged to draw upon sai red at a oint distant from its ax s andzin a plane transverse to the cam axis and which approximately. cuts said-crossover point, and a guide for' said rod adapted to permit the latter to oscillate rotatively, whereby the:

rolleris-permitted to conform to the conv verging and diverging portions of the o procuring crossing'movement of the grooves,- and the rod is prevented from oecillating {out of such conforming position. 11. The combination-with, alrotatable canl havingperipheral grooves, including pairs of helical portions diverging from acom-- mon cross-over point,"0'ffa jr0llc1fadapted to r travel in said grooves'and to cross from-one substantially as described.

16." The combination W1 h a' rotary cam cam projection carriedby'thef cam, whereby said groove iseccentrie to the axisof the cam inthe portion occupied by said 'projection, a "roller adapted to travel insaid' cam grooves and to crossover from'one to the f other at said common meeting point, once 'du-rmg each revolution ofthe cam, a rod provided with a roller supporting member in Whichsaid roller is, journaled, a lever having universally jointed connection with the other end of said rod, and a guide for said rod adapted to" permit both longitudi- -a supporting frame forsaid guide" adapted "to? permit lateral sliding movements in twc directions, whereby the ,roller vmay. swing from side to s1de as it' travels along the di vergingand i-converging portions of the re' spective grooves.-

)17. The combination with rotary cam having a plurality of peripheral grooves convergmg on one side to a cross-over point common to the bases of both grooves, one 01 said grooves being. formed "to extend over a cam projection carried'by the cam,lwhereby said groove is eccentric to the axis of the v A cam in-theportion occupied by said projec tion, a' rol ler- "adapted v to travelin said cam other at said bommons-meeting point, once during eacln revolution of the cam, a rod provided withroller support member in whichi' 'saidlroller; i's journale a lever havin ."universallyj mted connection with the ot er;end;:o;:sa1 rod, and a guide block forsaid 'rod adapted} to permit both longi- I tudinal "and rotative oscillations, said block having;-endpo'rtions ofspherical section and sphericahbase -sections,' whereby the roller said grooves being -formed to extend ovens cam projection carried by the cam, whereby .said groove is eccentric to the axis of thr' cam in the portion occupied by-said projec tion, a roller adapted to travel in said can grooves and to cross over from one to th: other at said common meeting point, onq during each revolution of the cam, aroc provided with a roller supporting member 111 which said roller is journa1ed,- a level:

having universally jointed connection with the other end of said. rod, and aguide forsaid rod adagted to; 1381:1311, b'oth 1ong'1tudi-' nal and rotatlve osclllatlons of semi rod, together with a valve operatively connected- -'with said lever, and a spring adapted to" normally hold said valve to its seat and also adapted to actuate said lever and rod in; a, 10 direction to press, the roller resiliently into the engaged groove on said cam. Y

' In bestimony whereof I aifix my slgnature in the presence of two-witnesses. 

